Udupi, March 15: Leaders of political parties have been extensively using helicopters during electioneering for the byelection to the Lok Sabha from Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency. They are using helicopters “intelligently” to make sure that the expenditure incurred on air travel is not added to the candidate's expenditure. But while doing so, political parties are misusing official machinery and are attracting the model code of conduct.
Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda was scheduled to campaign in Tarikere and Chikmagalur constituencies on Tuesday. He chose to travel by air from Bangalore to BRP helipad in Shimoga district. On papers, he conducted a “review meeting” of development projects in Shimoga, the district for which he is in-charge Minister.
In other words, the Chief Minister travelled by a chopper at the government's expense. From BRP helipad, he travelled by road to Lakkavalli in Tarikere taluk. The Chief Minister chose the helipad nearest to Lakkavalli, where he began his day's campaign. While returning, he reached Belur in Hassan district by road and from there he took a helicopter.
Violation
This is in violation of the model code of conduct. As per the paragraph VII (i)(a) of the model code of conduct hosted on the election commission website, the Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not also make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work.
The Chief Minister has combined the official visit with electioneering on previous occasions too. On March 10, he reached Shimoga by a helicopter. For the record, he attended a workshop for librarians of gram panchayat libraries, an insignificant programme to have Chief Minister as guest, in Shimoga. Within minutes he left for Chikmagalur by road. It is said the Chief Minister's participation in the programme was decided at the last minute on the previous day.
Similarly, on March 6, the Chief Minister was supposed to leave for Bangalore before evening to attend a meeting with representatives of journalists and advocates after campaigning in Balehonnur in Koppa taluk.
His office made arrangements for his air travel from Belur to Bangalore. He reached Belur by road and got into a helicopter. Belur, about 25 km from Chikmagalur, is a strategic point to reach by helicopter. The Chief Minister again visited Belur on March 9 only to pick BJP State unit president K.S. Eshwarappa, who was campaigning in Chikmagalur, on his way to Goa where they participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Manohar Parrikar. Whenever he visited Belur, his visit was “official” and he was received by senior officers of the district.
Union Minister for Labour Mallikarjun Kharge has been made in-charge of campaigning in Sringeri.
He reached Shimoga on March 4 by air and from there he travelled by car to Sringeri. The Minister, however, did not attend any official programme in Shimoga.
Union Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna, during his visit to Chikmagalur on March 6, reached a private resort in the town by a helicopter. He travelled to Mudigere by air as well to address a public meeting. Both Mr. Kharge and Mr. Krishna visited Koppa on Tuesday.
This time, they travelled by one helicopter, which landed in Koppa.
The observers appointed by the Election Commission generally keep track of expenditure made by candidates and parties. They can keep track of landings and departures happening in the constituency limits. However, if the operations are made outside the constituency, chances of the observers receiving details are remote.
As per the model code of conduct the expenditure incurred by campaigners for travel will be included in the candidate's poll expenditure.
A candidate can spend a maximum of Rs. 40 lakh on campaigning. Charges for helicopters vary from Rs. 1.25 to Rs. 2 lakh per hour.
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